Taylor Street Publishing are offering an exciting opportunity to come up with a new title for one of their books.
'Casablanca - My Heart' by Hannah Warren is a spellbinding romance set against the glorious backdrop of Morroco. Kathleen Hewtson, Managing Director explains:
"Occasionally a book doesn't take off as we were expecting. In this case we feel that the title may be failing to excite the target audience and as we have such faith in the writing, we've decided to take the unusual step of re-branding and re-launching the book. We are sourcing some beautiful new artwork but we'd like some help with the most important change - the title!"
How do you enter?
"You can download the book with its current name - Casablanca-My Heart - from here for 77 pence, or for a similarly low price from your region's Amazon site. We have also put some of the reviews below, which we feel may help give a feel of the book. Simply suggest a name by commenting on the below post and on Thursday 23rd August, well announce the one we like best!! The winner will receive an acknowledgement in the front of the book, a paperback copy of the book and an Amazon gift voucher for £15."*
Fancy a go? Better get reading - you've only got a week!!
REVIEWS for 'Casablanca - My Heart'
I confess that the title of this book made me think it would be a pleasant but unedifying Mills and Boon style of story. And it is written in present tense throughout, another of my peeves. But Hannah Warren handles this style of writing so skilfully that it felt natural and not intrusive in any way. This is not her first language but, my goodness, she writes far better than many an English native. She employs simple elegant sentences, brings to life places and people, colour, atmosphere and beauty. Even the minor characters feel so real they are there before your eyes, the mark of a truly good writer.
The main character Heather, a successful writer of romance novels, is a woman torn by guilt and pain. She feels it is her fault that her beloved husband, Luuk, lies in a coma after a terrible motor accident. In an effort to get away for a while, she books a cruise to Casablanca and meets there a handsome Persian who, while appearing a bit of a playboy, is very attractive. (Yes, I see Omar Sharif too!) He in turn is determined to meet her and seems to know all about her life and loves. The mystery intrigues and terrifies her.
The characters with their complexities, their needs, their feelings are beautifully fleshed out. It's truly a story with a soul, not a mere amusing romance. In some places reminiscent of a Francoise Sagan novel.
***
English is not Hannah Warren's first language but this book is written to perfection. Editors play their part of course but they cannot capture the soul of a book. This comes from the author and Hannah has left her soul in this book in my humble opinion.
Just say the name Casablanca and it conjures up the feeling of romance, exotic spices, and hot nights in the Casbah.
As the story opens from Heather's perspective she looks across the dining table on board ship and is aware of Ghalib a Moroccan Prince. A modern day Omah Sharif if you will. So begins the love story.
As the story twists and turns through the years from Ghalib's prospective and then Heather's, we discover how their lives become entwined and how fate finally takes a hand in their lives.
This is not just a wonderful romantic story it has depth of soul and eventually all soul mates come together regardless of where they are in the world.
I loved every moment and was disappointed when I finally read the last page as this reader wanted more.
I thoroughly recommend this captivating story.
Suggestions below - good luck!!
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I find this very exciting indeed. A big thank-you to my publisher Taylor Street Books and thank you all for thinking along!
ReplyDeleteHi - I'm looking forward to reading this novel, already have it in my Kindle queue and have read lots of reviews. Can you give us any idea about the tone/feel of the artwork because that will need to integrate with the title. Good luck, Hannah!
ReplyDeletePeople seem to be having difficulties publishing their suggestions so here are a couple I received so far:
ReplyDeleteBev Allen - City of Dreams
Sheila Mary Taylor
1. One Night in Casablanca
2. The Artist's Wife
3. When Love Beckons
4. No Greater Gift
Thanks very much, this is promising already!
First thank you for the inclusion of my review. So how about:
Delete1. Love in the Casbah
2. The Prince and the Novelist/Author
3. Soul mates in love
4. Casablanca Soul Mates
I could go on but ....
Good luck Hannah. xxx
FREE until Monday Sept. 17 at midnight PST
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/Moving-Your-Blog-Wordpress-com-ebook/dp/B0099MLEB4/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=133140011&s=digital-text
Some great ideas coming in - thanks!!
ReplyDeleteWith regards to putting up the art work, we'd rather match the art to the title - but we'll let you know as soon as possible.
Keep the great entries coming in and remember to share on your Twitter and Facebook accounts!
As Time Goes By!
DeleteOn my website Madeline Dyer suggested:
ReplyDeleteThorn in my Heart
Jacoba Dorothy suggested:
ReplyDeleteA Night to Remember
A Place to Forget
Holding Onto love
Lost in Your Memory
Casablanca Secrets
Tom Winton suggested:
ReplyDeleteAn Uncertain Voyage
Unexpected Complications
Sailing to Uncertainty
Flirting with Uncertainty
Confusion in Casablanca
Casablanca Bound (a double meaning)
Sailing to Trouble.
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteMy twitter account has frozen me out so I can't respond at the moment. Isn't technology a wonderful thing? (Yeah when it works) Will give it some thought and when the little grey cells (fewer every day) come up with anything I'll pop in a few suggestions.
Mackenzie Brown :)
My Morocco
ReplyDeleteThe Moving Finger Writes
ReplyDeleteMackenzie Brown suggested Heart in Chains
ReplyDeleteTwo own suggestions:
ReplyDeleteMosaic Lives
Come Back to Casablanca
My suggestions are:
ReplyDelete1)From The Soul comes Love.
2)The Love Within.
3)Woven with Love.
4)Casablanca Fate.
Charlotte Castle suggested:
ReplyDeleteCasablanca Souls
Souls of the Souk
Spices of the Soul
Lisa Scullard suggested:
ReplyDeleteAngels in the Sand; Casablanca Crossing; Desert of Destiny; Mirage of Hope
Sarah DiCello suggested:
ReplyDeleteKeeping Secrets, Unexpectedly You, Accidental Love, Finding Casablanca
David Makinson suggested:
ReplyDeleteCasablanca Spice
The Spice of Life
Keep them coming guys - some great ideas going in the pot.
ReplyDeleteSomebody mentioned a mirage, which I thought was a nice idea as it taps into both the desert theme and also the sense of unreality and mystery that the protaganist is feeling.
Mirage of the Heart?
Casablanca Carousel
ReplyDeleteMrs Lovecraft
ReplyDeleteUnlucky heather?
ReplyDeleteSpice of life and love
cruise to fate
How about Forever, My Love
ReplyDeleteRun to the sun?
ReplyDeleteTake sail?
Bring me back to love?
ReplyDeleteAww yeah, time to be the next Rowling!
ReplyDelete